Hardwire Wifi points and other devices

The beauty of Google Wifi is that it works via mesh wireless technology, so Wifi points do not need to be physically wired together via ethernet. However, if you prefer to use ethernet, here are some configurations that should work well.

Note: Do not connect any devices (like a computer, switch, or another Wifi point) to a Wifi point during setup. Learn more.

Supported Google Wifi setups:

Using Google Wifi points and/or OnHub devices

Note: In the following diagrams, "→" means to connect via wired ethernet.

With this configuration, you may run into Double NAT, which isn't necessarily a problem. But if it is causing problems, we recommend putting your 3rd party router in bridge mode and/or turning Wi-Fi off on your 3rd party router.

What NOT to do:

Wire Primary Wifi points and Mesh WiFi points into the same switch

Note: In the following diagrams, "→" means to connect via wired ethernet.

Switch’s LAN ports connect to both a Primary Wifi point and another Mesh Wifi point’s WAN ports point via wired ethernet

In this case, the Mesh Wifi point will not be on the same network subnet as the Primary Wifi point, which will likely prevent devices on your Wi-Fi network from seeing each other in many situations, and generate inaccurate data in the Google Wifi app. All Mesh Wifi points (and any other wired devices like printers) should be wired "downstream" of the Primary Wifi point in order for things to work properly.

In this example, the Primary Wifi point should either be plugged in between the Modem and the Switch, or else the Mesh Wifi point should be plugged in downstream of the Primary Wifi point instead.

(✓) Modem → Primary Wifi point→ Switch → Mesh Wifi point

(✓) Modem → Switch → Primary Wifi point → Mesh Wifi point

Wire Primary Wifi points and Mesh WiFi points into the same 3rd party router

Note: In the following diagrams, "→" means to connect via wired ethernet.

In this case, if the 3rd party router is not in bridge mode (i.e., acting only as a switch), the Mesh Wifi point may not be able to communicate with the Primary Wifi point, nor will any wired or wireless clients that are connected to that 3rd party router.

In this example, the 3rd party router should be removed from the system, replaced with a switch, or else set to bridge mode: